Viewing audiences may know plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow from Fox’s hit plastic surgery reality show The Swan, and subsequently his wife Heather Kent Dubrow because the newest Housewife on Bravo’s RHOOC in 2012. But before television gained him an international reputation for transformative cosmetic surgery work, Dr. Dubrow was already renowned throughout southern California for his highly successful plastic surgery practice based in Newport Beach. Cosmetic surgery has long been a passion for Dr. Dubrow, who began by serving a three-year fellowship at UCLA School of Medicine, where he was later appointed chief resident of general and plastic surgery. From there, he went on to found his own private practice, which offers cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Newport Beach. Dr. Dubrow’s practice has received glowing testimonials and doctor referrals, establishing it as a destination for facelifts, rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, difficult breast revision cases, and other specialty procedures. Dr. Dubrow couples his outstanding professional credentials and ethics with a personalized approach to patient care and a keen eye for aesthetic beauty.

How did you choose plastic surgery as your specialty and what compelled you to dive into this medical field?

Plastic surgery is by far the most compelling field in medicine. It is the only one that treats such a wide range of problems, from cancer reconstruction and burns to congenital deformities and those that result from trauma. Cosmetic surgery is truly an art form.

What should patients expect or prepare for when they have a consultation with you and what are the most popular plastic surgeries in Newport Beach?

Be prepared for an honest assessment of the disadvantages versus the benefits of each possible procedure considered, and be prepared to have fun doing it. Breast enhancements, facial rejuvenation, nasal surgery, and of course body contouring like liposuction and tummy tucks seem to be the most preferred.

Of course we know you can’t spill all your secrets in your book The Acne Cure, but can you talk us through what this step-by-step program to eradicate acne is all about?

I wrote the Acne Cure because there is an inexpensive way to treat acne that targets the causes of acne rather than targeting the pocketbooks of acne sufferers. Avoid expensive and ineffective skincare products and learn how to eradicate your acne and improve your skin by attacking the known causes of acne using inexpensive, over the counter products easily obtained at your local drug stores. The best way to treat an emergency breakout is to reduce the inflammation that causes the spread of acne using ice therapy placed directly on the breakout along with a 5% benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to kill the bacteria that causes acne.

What are your favorite acne myths and how are they untrue?

Diet and greasy, dirty skin do not cause acne. The causes are related to bacteria in the skin, inflammation, oil, and skin cells plugging the hair follicle. Hormonal changes in women these days have increased the occurrence of acne mostly due to the increase in hormones of processed foods and meat. Because hormones may play a strong role in the development of acne, birth control pills can, for some women, be an effective means of controlling acne. Stress may play a minor role, but really only in a limited way. In reality, acne has four basic causes including the Acne Bacterium, inflammation, plugged hair follicles (where acne starts), and oil production. Everyone has a different level of each one of these causes and that’s why no one single product fixes your acne.

How will plastic surgery change in the future? Is it new technology that will drive the field, or will it be molded by patient demands and/or cultural shifts?

Most procedures will be non surgical and will involve injecting materials to restore facial volume. Skin tightening will be done with lasers rather than cutting and removing skin and fat will be reduced from the outside rather than through liposuction.

How is cystic acne different from rosacea? Do you treat it differently?

Cystic acne is a difficult to treat severe subtype of acne that is due primarily to excess oil production. Rosacea, although sometimes associated with acne breakouts, is a disease of the blood vessels of the skin causing redness in the central part of the face. They are treated very differently.